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25 Sep

September 25, 2003 |

Here are several items about summer events at Otterbein UB in Waynesboro, Pa.

On July 8-10, over 20 players and coaches met for 3 days of High Flyer basketball camp. The camp offered players a chance to develop physically, socially, and spiritually. Players learned both basketball and life skills in a fun and competitive environment. Each player left the camp with a t-shirt, a ball, a pizza, and a great learning experience.

On July 11, 34 men and women participated in the Annual Otterbein Golf Scramble. The winning team shot a 65. Gift certificates were awarded to the top teams of each flight as well as the longest drive and closest to the hole. One person commented, “It was a great opportunity for me to spend some time with my son and get to know the others on my team in a fun environment.”

Twelve men from Otterbein attended the Promise Keeper event held in Pittsburgh July 11-12. The men had a great time together and were challenged spiritually to be men of God. They arrived Friday and attended the opening session, then stayed overnight and attended the sessions on Saturday with 11,000 other men.

Over 40 players and coaches met for this year’s Golden Goal soccer camp, held July 21-25. Players learned several soccer skills and a life skill on each of the five nights of camp. They also played games against other teams in the camp. Each player received a t-shirt, soccer ball, pizza, and a week of camp experience.

Otterbein held a “Group Connect” night on September 7, from 6:30-8:00. It was designed as a non-threatening environment where people could connect with others who share common interests, life stages, or geographic location. These starter small groups will meet for a total of four weeks at the church’s ministry center before going out on there own. This will provide the groups with a safe and comfortable environment to see if their starter group wants to continue beyond these four weeks. Fifty people showed up for the Group Connect night–potentially, another 3-5 small groups. The church already has 22 LIFE small group.

25 Sep

September 25, 2003 |

Vicky Lorencen, Director of Discipleship and Assimilation at Gethsemane UB (Jackson, Mich.), reports, “Nearly 100 children participated in this summer’s Building Champions Soccer Camp July 21-25). Our theme was ‘Soul Survivor–Only the Strong Survive.’

“It included a drama and reality show format based on an unlikely combination of the NBC show Survivor and the verse Joshua 1:9, ‘Be strong and courageous.’ Kids learned soccer skills, made crafts, and enjoyed a lively teaching time each night. Sixteen children responded to the gospel message at the end of the week.”

23 Sep

September 23, 2003 |

Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller was trimming some trees on September 15, and was on the final one, when the ladder toppled. He sustained multiple fractures around his shoulder area, three or four other small fractures around his pelvic and lower back area, and also jammed his hip. A full recovery is expected. However, he faces 8-12 weeks of bed rest. Address for cards: Bishop C. Ray Miller, 2260 Dieringer Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

23 Sep

September 23, 2003 |

Mark and Angela Vincenti, both of whom serve on staff at King Street UB in Chambersburg, Pa., are the parents of a baby girl. Kiana Kristy Vincenti was born early in the morning on September 23, weighing 7 lbs., 7 oz. Everyone’s doing fine.

18 Sep

September 18, 2003 |

Dirk Small, pastor of the Idaville UB church (Idaville, Pa.), is still having serious difficulties with injuries sustained over five weeks ago in a motorcycle accident. He has a serious infection in the 14-inch incision from the surgery. He is in a lot of pain and would appreciate our prayers.

18 Sep

September 18, 2003 |

Sam Quinn, superintendent of California Conference, sent this note: “Please be in prayer for the Canyon Country church, as they are making decisions as far as having to move to a new and larger location. The cost could be as much as $10,000 per month–a large commitment.” This Hispanic congregation of about 400 people was recently told that they could not continue using the Lutheran facility where they have been meeting for many years. Edwin Recinos is the pastor.

18 Sep

September 18, 2003 |

Sue Cherry has been the “voice of the UB Headquarters” for 24 years. It was in 1979 that she began serving as receptionist. So when people called, her voice was usually the first voice they heard.

Sue concluded her service at the UB Headquarters at the end of August. She has been greatly appreciated, and will be missed.

Sue is the husband of Dr. Howard Cherry. They pastored several UB churches before Dr. Cherry joined the staff of the Huntington College Graduate School of Christian Ministries in 1979. They will remain active in various types of ministry.

04 Sep

September 4, 2003 |

Jim Ellifritt, the Northwest Conference superintendent, is a major in the National Guard. He reports that beginning in mid-October, he will be ordered to active duty for language training in Dari, the majority language for Afghanistan. He writes:

“Our unit will be officially activated on November 30 and sent to Fort Bragg, N. C., and certified for deployment. We will arrive in Afghanistan around the first week of January. I will be in a town called Bagram. The deployment is schedule for 12 months beginning November 30. Prayerfully it will only be 12 months in country.”

Jim says he’s grateful that his children are older–Kori is 15, Stacy 18, and Jim 23. “I am cautiously excited about opportunities of ministry to soldiers and civilians. All of this, like everything else with the military, is subject to change. It will be more real to me when I finally step onto the tarmac in Bagram.”

03 Sep

September 3, 2003 |

Joshua Kesler is the new senior pastor of Bethel UB in Elmore, Ohio, effective September 1.

Marion Hall is the new senior pastor of Harrison UB (Harrison, Mich.) effective August 17.

26 Aug

August 26, 2003 |

The Michindoh Conference held a Mini Missions Conference for Children on June 21. It was led by Troy Hendricks, missionary to Spain, and Pastor Steve Smith of Lakeview UB (Camden, Mich.). It was held at Lakeview.

Rhonda Dilley challenged the children to participate in missions. They made mission-oriented crafts, and learned to play a new game called Soccette, which was likened to needing to learn a new culture. They also assembled nearly 100 shoeboxes to be given out by the Lakeview youth as they conduct a VBS at Laurel Mission. They were served lunch and then were treated to a concert by the 7th Street five-member band that combines rock, folk, and country sounds. The band is from First UB church in Blissfield, Mich.